U21 World League

Ibarsusi Stadium
Spectators: 8035 (Terracing: 6027, Seating: 1848, VIP seats: 160) Mário Kempes started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. In the 7th minute, Alex Răduț ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Andoni Zubizarreta was frozen by the shot and now it was 1-1. Spartak de Txurdi's Pietro Benito played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Fran Pérez in the 12th minute of play. In the 15th match minute, Valencia C.F. was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Cristian Mosquera to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Florentin Gougeon in the 19th minute of play forced Spartak de Txurdi's goalkeeper Pietro Benito to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Pietro Benito took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Fran Pérez, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 27th minute, Alex Răduț left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Spartak de Txurdi fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-1. Andoni Zubizarreta took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Horacio Hernandez, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 38 minutes, Nino Jeanneret mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Valencia C.F. and the Spartak de Txurdi players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 38th match minute, Valencia C.F. was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Nino Jeanneret to maneuver through the defense. After a rather tough play, Valencia C.F.'s Nino Jeanneret got a free kick in the 39th minute. With a little luck, Valencia C.F.'s Andoni Zubizarreta got control of the ball when Juanito Arribas tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 46th minute, Cirino Sarro hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 47th minute, Florentin Gougeon got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 2-2 after a close first half.

After a defensive mix-up in Valencia C.F.'s zone, Alex Răduț stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Andoni Zubizarreta came out of the goal and Alex Răduț tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Pietro Benito was a little too slow when Florentin Gougeon got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 56th minute. The score was now 2-3. The supporters of Spartak de Txurdi booed when Valencia C.F. was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 59 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jesús Vázquez didn't get a good kick on the ball. Juanito Arribas who after having made a long run got a chance for a shot on goal. Despite a couple of nice moves Andoni Zubizarreta's wasn't to be fooled and made an easy save when Juanito Arribas was beeing forced to shoot. Spartak de Txurdi's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Juanito Arribas in the 62nd minute. Spartak de Txurdi's Juanito Arribas was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Andoni Zubizarreta in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Andoni Zubizarreta showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alex Răduț in the 65th minute of the match. In the 67th minute, Alex Răduț ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Andoni Zubizarreta was frozen by the shot and now it was 3-3. When Juanito Arribas fell near the penalty area in the 74th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Spartak de Txurdi's protests and gave Juanito Arribas a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Valencia C.F. booed when Spartak de Txurdi was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 74 match minutes in a wonderful position. Juanito Arribas didn't get a good kick on the ball. The audience was convinced that Alex Răduț's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Andoni Zubizarreta was relentless in the 78th minute of the game. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Alex Răduț in the 79th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Andoni Zubizarreta prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 82nd minute Fran Pérez shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Pietro Benito saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Andoni Zubizarreta came out of the goal in the 83rd minute to try and stop a shot by Spartak de Txurdi's Horacio Hernandez. But to his dismay, Horacio Hernandez quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 4-3. Alex Răduț blasted a shot towards the goal in the 86th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Andoni Zubizarreta having to make a save. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alex Răduț in the 86th minute of play forced Valencia C.F.'s goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 90th minute, Alex Răduț ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Andoni Zubizarreta was frozen by the shot and now it was 5-3. An unexpectedly hard shot by Alex Răduț in the 94th minute of play forced Valencia C.F.'s goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Spartak de Txurdi were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Valencia C.F. for a fine match.